US Consulate graduates 17 new fellows after a scheme lasting a year
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A new batch of 17 Nigerians have graduated from the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), a Washington exchange program that assembles youths with vision, skills, and experience to design and implement projects that lift communities.
The U.S. Consulate Lagos hosted a graduation ceremony to celebrate the success of those who formed the 2021 cohort of 17 youths aged 21-35.
They participants were selected through a competitive process, implemented social service projects focused on health, education, civil liberties, environment, and economic empowerment during the fellowship that lasted 12 months.
U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Stephen Ibelli highlighted at the ceremony the positive impact ICFI has had on local communities since its inception in 2011.
He commended the graduands’ selfless service and commitment to the values championed by the late U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, for whom the initiative is named.
“You established a farmers’ business school and taught 30 rural farmers to sustainably farm. You upskilled 30 kids in Lagos juvenile homes on ICT skills and advocated policy reforms in juvenile administration,” Ibelli said.
“You trained school counselors on addressing mental health challenges in public schools. You taught rural women basic recycling skills and trained public school teachers on the use of modern teaching methods and aids.
“The projects implemented by the 2021 CYFI cohort are truly inspiring. These are meaningful, impactful projects. You have laid solid foundations for future work and I look forward to seeing where these initiatives go from here.”
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Exchange alumni community
Ibelli welcomed the new CYFI fellows to the U.S. government exchange alumni community, a prestigious and vast network of like-minded and highly regarded professionals across the country.
“I encourage you to take advantage of the exchange alumni group to continue to grow and support each other.”
Carrington’s wife Arese in a goodwill message congratulated the 2021 cohort and urged them to remain exemplars of honesty and concern for the welfare of the less privileged.
“The innovative projects you designed and carried out during the past year have impacted lives positively. Never stop dreaming or daring to effect the needed change because you are the hope for the future,” she added.
About CYFI
CYFI is built around year-long social innovation projects designed by fellows and supported by the U.S. Consulate and private partners. The 2021 cohort is the first graduating class since the death of Carrington.
CYFI has graduated 174 outstanding young Nigerians who bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table, and share a common vision to positively impact the Nigerian society.
Motivated and self-driven young Nigerians interested in becoming a CYFI fellow can apply by filling out the application form at: http://www.cyfinigeria.org/apply/